NEWYou can now listen to articles from Fox News!
Kamala Harris’s initial major decision as the Democratic nominee for president forced her to select a path: embrace the left or maintain the Democrats as a mainstream, traditionally liberal party, particularly regarding Israel and broader American politics.
Harris leaned toward the left by choosing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, effectively disregarding Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who was considered the Democrat’s preferred choice up until the very morning of her announcement.
“Winning” became paramount when it came time to set aside President Biden. While he might receive polite applause and a formal farewell at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, don’t expect his speech to feature in prime time or any day other than Monday. Biden is now viewed as a liability, offering no assistance to his Vice President in her endeavor to shift America towards California’s progressive ideals. Although Biden may still occupy the Oval Office in January, he carries little influence within the Democratic Party. (It’s uncertain whether he has any control over anything these days.)
Harris primarily identifies as a member of the “left”—more accurately, the “hard left.” Her extensive public career has been nurtured within the ultra-left San Francisco political sphere. To understand Harris’s actions, simply ask: What would Nancy Pelosi do? Then proceed to replicate that approach without the finesse or pretense of traditional liberal Democratic values. That encapsulates Harris: a Pelosi without the Baltimore roots or substantial political acumen. Both politicians are leftist ideologues, but Pelosi understood the importance of consensus and knew, “First, you have to win.” Pelosi would have selected Shapiro, but she exhausted her influence in maneuvering against Joe Biden. The newcomers have now taken charge.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE OPINIONS FROM FOX NEWS
Therefore, Harris’s rejection of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was devoid of Pelosi-like moderation. This single decision cast aside any semblance of moderate policy or inclusive political practices. Harris clearly communicated to voters: A new faction of San Francisco Democrats is at the helm, uninterested in compromise or expansive coalitions. They particularly reject anyone who supports Israel in its critical struggle against Iran.
Shapiro, a Jewish leader, has always been a staunch advocate for Israel, while Harris is ideologically opposed. She has embraced the “oppressor-oppressed” framework of the left’s “intersectionality” movement, which views Israel as an adversary. No matter how politically pragmatic it would be, Harris couldn’t bring herself to choose Shapiro as a partner. Democrats like James Carville, who genuinely care about electoral success, could voice their frustrations non-stop, but it would change nothing. Shapiro’s pro-Israel stance is antithetical to Harris and her San Francisco faction. Even a temporary alliance would be unthinkable.
BETSY DEVOS ISSUES STRAIGHTFORWARD WARNING REGARDING WALZ FOLLOWING UNION PRESIDENT’S ENTHUSIASTIC COMMENTS ABOUT VP PICK
Children raised in any intensely religious community, whether Amish, ultra-Orthodox Jewish, or fundamentalist Wahhabist, will invariably carry the scars of that upbringing. Even if they manage to adapt outside their fundamentalist roots, underlying instincts will always remain, especially under stress.
Growing up in the political environment of San Francisco—where Republicans are virtually absent and moderate Democrats hold no power—instills a critical life lesson: Always veer left when given the option. Harris’s preference for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz over Shapiro, or even over established Democratic figure, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona—an astronaut, veteran, and spouse of a victim of gun violence—reveals much about her potential governance, should she succeed against former President Donald Trump in the November elections.
It has been over five decades since Richard Nixon defeated the hard left’s favorite from the early 1970s, Senator George McGovern. It’s been forty years since Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick coined the term “San Francisco Democrat” to describe that faction of the Democratic Party decidedly outside mainstream American politics. Three decades have passed since the hard left’s initiative for “Hillarycare” undermined President Bill Clinton’s first term, contributing to the rise of Speaker Newt Gingrich and initiating the “great sorting” into red and blue states and regions. The hard left perpetually drives forward without restraint. This week, Harris showcased her commitment to a relentlessly progressive agenda.
Minnesota has a history of liberalism, but it has also produced moderate Republicans like Tim Pawlenty from time to time. Recently, however, it has tilted further left and shows no signs of returning to moderation. Unlike its neighboring states, Wisconsin and Iowa, Minnesota has discarded any notion of centrist politics, resulting in a deeply divided state where the Twin Cities stand in stark opposition to the rest of Minnesota.
Governor Walz fits seamlessly within Harris’s faction of the Democrats. He made no submissions regarding the government’s authority during the COVID pandemic and showed no objection to the national teachers’ unions’ demands to keep public schools closed, some for over a year. His governance mirrored that of Andrew Cuomo in New York and Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan throughout the pandemic. Like Harris, Walz has adopted a stance favoring increased aid for Gaza in the context of Israel’s multi-front struggles with Iran and its proxies.
Choosing to overlook Shapiro brings to mind the Democratic Party’s previous decision to marginalize former Pennsylvania Governor Bob Casey, Sr., denying him a chance to speak at the 1992 Democratic Convention due to his unwavering pro-life convictions.
US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris applauds as her running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 6, 2024, during the first day of their “Battleground State Tour”. (Photo by MATTHEW HATCHER / AFP) (Photo by MATTHEW HATCHER/AFP via Getty Images) (Matthew Hatcher/AFP via Getty Images)
This event marked the culmination of a twenty-year elimination of “pro-life Democrats” from the national party. Currently, no “pro-life Democrats” exist, not even Bob Casey Jr., who is actively campaigning against Dave McCormick. Harris’s partnership with Shapiro would have provided a boost to Casey, Democratic Senator Jon Tester in Montana, and Sherrod Brown in Ohio. In fact, it would have strengthened the Democratic Party’s appeal to independents. Yet, with Harris and Walz, the narrative is one of outright dismissal toward centrist voices within the party, should Harris secure victory.
Kamala Harris demonstrates a strong disregard for the norms of red and purple America. She has not conducted a single interview following her nomination, a marked deviation from democratic traditions. Throughout her political career, she hasn’t faced a legitimate Republican opponent, neither moderate nor conservative, and shows little inclination to engage or recognize their existence.
In California, Harris ascended to her Senate seat by defeating former Democratic Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, a fellow liberal, in the 2016 general election. She became California’s Attorney General after narrowly besting steve Cooley, a career district attorney who, despite not being an authentic Republican, tried to campaign from a center-right position in 2010. Cooley nearly succeeded, highlighting the complexities of California’s political environment.
Over the fourteen years since Harris’s first statewide victory, California has drifted leftward. While much of California rejects the extreme policies of San Francisco, the grip of the San Francisco and Silicon Valley elites on the state has become undeniable. Statewide campaign funding heavily relies on vast public employee unions and the affluent elites of San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Hollywood—individuals who are far from practical in their approach. The state has spiraled from one crisis to another, yet the San Francisco Democrats remain firmly in control of the erratically governed state.
Harris likely counts no Republicans among her close associates. Declaring oneself a Republican in San Francisco is tantamount to political suicide, and the situation has worsened considerably. Once, a robust pro-Israel faction existed within the Democratic Party, much like a once-vibrant pro-life wing. The latter has completely disappeared, while the former is rapidly dwindling. Progressive Democrats have distanced themselves from support for the Jewish state.
By rejecting Shapiro due to his pro-Israel stance, Harris has expedited the shift of American Jews from overwhelmingly Democratic voters to those leaning towards center-right Republicans in elections. Some American Jews have already aligned with former President Trump, who has demonstrated his commitment to Israel through actions like supporting the annexation of the Golan Heights and relocating the American embassy to Jerusalem. Under Biden-Harris, however, sanctions relief for Iran has dominated, providing little but disturbance and danger for Israel.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Shapiro as Harris’s running mate seemed like the logical choice, especially as Democrats need Pennsylvania to retain the White House. Yet, ideology often prevails over practicality in San Francisco. Trump likely underestimated the Democrats’ willingness to overlook such an opportunity. They have furnished him with Kamala Harris as an adversary, and her initial act was to visibly slight Pennsylvania.
Hugh Hewitt hosts “The Hugh Hewitt Show,” airing weekday mornings from 6am to 9am ET on the Salem Radio Network and simulcast on the Salem News Channel. Hugh engages with audiences across over 400 affiliates nationwide and on all streaming platforms where SNC is available. He frequently features on Fox News Channel’s news roundtable with Bret Baier on weekdays at 6pm ET. An Ohio native, Hugh is a Harvard College graduate and holds a law degree from the University of Michigan. He has taught Constitutional Law at Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law since 1996, launching his eponymous radio show in Los Angeles back in 1990. Hugh has made numerous appearances across major national news networks and has hosted television programs for PBS and MSNBC, as well as authored a dozen books. He has moderated numerous Republican candidate debates, with his most recent being the November 2023 Republican presidential debate in Miami. Focusing on the Constitution, national security, American politics, and the Cleveland Browns and Guardians, Hewitt has interviewed countless guests, from Democratic figures like Hillary Clinton and John Kerry to Republican Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump throughout his 40 years in broadcasting. This column outlines the lead story that will be featured on his radio and TV show today.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM HUGH HEWITT
